He that me kepte fro the false blame
Whyl I was on the londe amonges yow, (730)
He can me kepe from harme and eek fro shame
In salte see, al-thogh I se nat how. 830
As strong as ever he was, he is yet now.
In him triste I, and in his moder dere,
That is to me my seyl and eek my stere.’
Hir litel child lay weping in hir arm,
And kneling, pitously to him she seyde, 835
‘Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee non harm.’
With that hir kerchef of hir heed she breyde,
And over his litel yën she it leyde; (740)
And in hir arm she lulleth it ful faste,
And in-to heven hir yën up she caste. 840
837. Ln. Hl. kerchef; Pt. keerchef; E. Hn. couerchief; Cm. couerchif;
Cp. couerchef. E. Hn. Cm. ouer (_wrongly_); _rest_ of.
‘Moder,’ quod she, ‘and mayde bright, Marye,
Sooth is that thurgh wommannes eggement
Mankind was lorn and damned ay to dye,
For which thy child was on a croys y-rent;
Thy blisful yën sawe al his torment; 845
Than is ther no comparisoun bitwene
Thy wo and any wo man may sustene.
Thou sawe thy child y-slayn bifor thyn yën, (750)
And yet now liveth my litel child, parfay!
Now, lady bright, to whom alle woful cryën, 850
Thou glorie of wommanhede, thou faire may,
Thou haven of refut, brighte sterre of day,
Rewe on my child, that of thy gentillesse
Rewest on every rewful in distresse!